Former President Joe Biden struggled to complete the most famous phrase from the Declaration of Independence during a Memorial Day speech in Delaware. During what marked his first public address since his office revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis on May 18, Biden attempted to recite the document's iconic passage but trailed off before finishing.
According to The Daily Caller, Biden stumbled when trying to pronounce the final words of the well-known phrase about "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" during his address to the Memorial Day crowd.
The event also held personal significance for the former president as it coincided with the ten-year anniversary of his son Beau's death. Biden acknowledged the emotional weight of the day during his remarks, expressing gratitude to those in attendance for allowing him to share in their collective grief.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women are created equal, endowed by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights, life, liberty, pursuit of ha — we made it!" Biden exclaimed during the speech. He immediately followed the verbal stumble by shouting, "That's who we are! That's what makes America the most unique nation in the world. Literally, not figuratively."
This isn't the first time Biden has struggled with this particular line. During a 2020 campaign speech in Texas, he reportedly had difficulty recalling the famous phrase, saying "We hold these truths to be self-evident. All men and women created by you know, you know the thing."
The former president's speech patterns and verbal missteps were frequently scrutinized during his presidency, with critics pointing to such moments as evidence of cognitive decline – an allegation Biden has consistently denied.
Biden's Memorial Day appearance comes less than two weeks after his personal office publicly disclosed his prostate cancer diagnosis. The statement released on May 18 detailed that Biden was diagnosed on May 16 after being evaluated for increasing urinary symptoms.
The former president's cancer was characterized as having a Gleason score of 9 with metastasis to the bone, indicating a more aggressive form of the disease. However, his office noted that the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which "allows for effective management."
The timing of the health announcement came just two days before the publication of a book titled "Original Sin," which reportedly covers Biden's physical and mental decline during his presidency and alleged efforts to conceal it from the public.
Since leaving office, Biden has maintained a relatively low public profile. His Memorial Day speech represents one of just a few major public appearances in recent months.
Prior to the Delaware event, the former president had delivered one major speech focused on Social Security and participated in interviews with "The View" and BBC since concluding his presidency.
During his May 8 appearance on "The View," Biden directly challenged reports about his cognitive abilities, rejecting claims that he experienced mental decline while serving as president. The Memorial Day event provided an opportunity for Biden to connect with supporters while honoring fallen service members, including his late son Beau, who served in Iraq before his death ten years ago.
Former President Biden used the Memorial Day platform to acknowledge the painful anniversary of his son's passing. The event offered a moment of personal reflection amid the collective remembrance of fallen military personnel.
"This day is the 10th anniversary of the loss of my son Beau, who spent a year in Iraq. And to be honest, it's a hard day," Biden told attendees. He added, "Being with all of you quite frankly makes things a little bit easier, it really does. So thank you for allowing me to grieve with you."
Biden's appearance at the Memorial Day event came shortly after his cancer diagnosis became public knowledge. The former president faces significant health challenges as he navigates treatment options for his aggressive form of prostate cancer.
